CAVUHB Executive Director of Strategy Planning and Partnerships Appointment Announcement

22nd January 2026

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board are delighted to announce Adam Roberts as the new Executive Director of Strategy Planning and Partnerships. 

Adam brings over 20 years’ experience spanning local improvement, system strategy and influential independent national research. 

He joins the Health Board from NHS England where he held a number of senior leadership roles, including Director for Operational Insight in Urgent and Emergency Care.  
 
He advised and supported national reform across integrated urgent emergency care, providing regular briefings to government and NHS England executives, including through the COVID-19 response and the subsequent recovery period. 

Adam is recognised for developing the model used to strengthen the evidence-base for a greater focus on out-of-hospital care and the need to shift towards community services.  
 
With a strong commitment to quality improvement, he was a member of the independent Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity which published recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in April 2025. 

A proud Welshman, Adam is passionate about improving quality, access and outcomes for patients which are grounded in rigorous analysis of immediate pressures and longer-term trends. 
 
Adam said: "I am delighted to be joining the team at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.  
 
“Like all health systems across the world, we have significant challenges ahead of us, and I’m committed to the Health Board’s ambition to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities where all programmes include prevention and early intervention. 
 
“I’m excited to join a team that have the skills, expertise and passion to deliver on our vision to improve quality and outcomes for our population."  
 
Chief Executive Suzanne Rankin said: “I’m delighted to welcome Adam to the Cardiff and Vale team.  
 
“He brings significant experience as an influential leader with an extensive background in strategic planning and delivery within the NHS, and of developing national policy to improve outcomes for patients and management of real-time operational pressures.  

“I look forward to working together to help shape services, strengthen partnerships and deliver impact at scale, and to ensure our long-term plans are robust, evidence-based and focused on improving population health, quality, sustainability, and equity.” 

Adam will join Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as Executive Director of Strategy Planning and Partnerships on 23rd April 2026.